FOG BLOG COVID 19 ROUNDUP LOG: NOVA SCOTIA EXPLOSION WITH 148, HERE IN NB 18 NEW CASES:

N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 18 new cases, 2nd pandemic election begins with advance polls...

• 141 active cases

• Exceptions possible for isolation rule

• UNB residents to be tested again

• George Street Middle School update

• Exposures in Fredericton, Charlotte County

• What to do if you have a symptom

New Brunswickers are beginning to cast ballots in advance polls on Saturday as the province kicks off its second pandemic election. The start of the election comes as the province reports 18 new cases of COVID-19. The municipal election, postponed last year in response to COVID-19, will be held on May 10 in most regions with advance polls being held today. Residents of some northwest communities will vote on May 25 after Elections New Brunswick suspended the election while the area was under lockdown. The region was moved to orange-phase restrictions on Wednesday...Municipalities impacted include Edmundston, Haut-Madawaska, Lac Baker, Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska and Saint-Léonard. Advance polls in those areas will be held on May 15 and May 17.

• Zone 4 to have elections May 25, results from other regions to be reported that day

Results for the entire province will be announced on May 25 after polls close in the northwest.

The delay is a result of recent legislation to allow the suspension of nominations and voting in a particular zone in the event of a lockdown.

New Brunswick staged a provincial election last September.

141 active cases

New Brunswick has 141 active cases of COVID-19 as of Saturday's update. Five people are in the hospital, including two in intensive care.